I've 35 days left before I fly to the UK to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 weeks of which will involve working on an island off of Northern Ireland. I'm looking forward to it, at least the first few days of it.
Yes I've seen many things on this trip, a number of which I've long wanted to sample. A bucket list of sorts, though missing the most important of wonders.
I finally saw LA, and of course Hollywood, the Big Sur, Santa Monica Beach and a variety of national parks, including; Yosemite, Point Reyes, Joshua Tree, Sequoia, the Everglades and a bunch of State Parks, many of which were just as beautiful. I've seen Vegas, the Mojave Desert, the edge of Death Valley, swam in the caribbean at Playa Del Carmen, visiting several Cloud Forests and a variety of rain forests, where, in one, I swung on a vine. I saw a huge variety of bird life and met a plethora of America hosts. I saw every country in Central America, witnessed the harsh conditions, and walked in wild country, the likes of which are often only experienced in undeveloped countries.
I saw a volcano erupt and climbed another, sped across lake Atitlan, spend days imbibing the chilled out atmosphere that comes with water taxis and no roads. I visited mayan ruins, climbed pyramids, encountered several monkey species, watched alligators and numerous turtles and tortoises, seen manatees, wild horses and real wilderness.
I've eaten in real American diners, enjoyed coconuts straight off the tree. I walked on the Appalachian Trail, visited a number of American towns and cities, with New York, Boston and Canada still to come. Seen the national mall and the monuments of past government that the United States are so proud of: iconic. I've witnessed the american soul searching that's happening these days, and will continue forward.
I've very little regrets from this trip. Visiting Cape Canaveral would have been good, but there's too much to see and no time for everything in this life.
I'll be in New York tomorrow, soaking up a baseball game, the WTC and Central Park, before visiting another new country, Canada, the 49th I've visited.
And I did it all just so I could say to everyone I meet, and everyone on facebook, "What did you do this winter?" Well, no.
I hope to finally retire my travellers itch at the end of this, and seek other things in life.
Don't sweat the little things.
